fusillade

noun

fu·​sil·​lade ˈfyü-sə-ˌläd 

-ˌlād,

ˌfyü-sə-ˈläd,

-ˈlād,

-zə-

1

a

: a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession

b

: something that gives the effect of a fusillade

a fusillade of rocks and bottles

2

: a spirited outburst especially of criticism

Synonyms

• barrage
• flurry

Examples of fusillade in a Sentence

A fusillade of bullets filled the courtyard.

responded calmly to the fusillade of criticism leveled at his design for the memorial

Recent Examples on the Web

Earle-Sears, who has been lagging in polling, immediately began a one-hour-long fusillade on Spanberger once the debate started. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025

In retaliation, the Houthis launched a fusillade of ballistic missiles at the Truman, which turned tail and steamed away, causing another Super Hornet to slide off the deck into the ocean. —Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

As Ukraine marked another year of independence, Vladimir Putin responded with one of the worst fusillades of missiles since his unprovoked full-scale war of aggression began over three years ago. —Oleksandra Matviichuk, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

But then suddenly, out of nowhere, came a fusillade of bullets aimed at our heads and the upper parts of our bodies. —Ahmed Dader august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from fusiller "to shoot with a musket volley" (from fusil fusil entry 2 + -iller, causative prefix, going back to Latin -iculāre, derivative of -iculum, instrumental and diminutive suffix) + -ade -ade

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fusillade

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed

Kids Definition

fusillade

noun

fu·​sil·​lade ˈfyü-sə-ˌläd 

-ˌlād,

-zə-;

ˌfyü-sə-ˈläd,

-ˈlād,

-zə-

1

: a number of shots fired at the same time or rapidly one after another

2

: something like a fusillade of shots

a fusillade of rocks

3

: an outburst especially of criticism